ATLANTA – Deron Williams has targeted Wednesday’s game against the Knicks at the Garden as his possible return date to play for the Nets again.

“Maybe I’ll eye that New York game. It’s a big game,” Williams said, indicating that the rivalry between the two teams – including “a lot of animosity between ownerships” makes it a natural game for him to return.

Williams, acquired by the Nets in a blockbuster deal before the trading deadline, has missed five straight games – including last night against the Hawks here – after re-injuring his right wrist in a fall at Milwaukee nine days ago. He said he’d like to return sooner rather than later.

Can’t get much sooner than Wednesday at the Garden. The Nets also play Tuesday at home against Houston. But Williams said he’d prefer to play the second game of a back-to-back scenario.

“I’m going to give it one more try. Hopefully, I don’t hurt it again,” Williams said. “I was probably going to play sooner than later and…it would probably be better to play the second of a back-to-back, instead of the first.”

That Knicks game fits all the criteria.

“It’d be a fun game to be a part of, I would think,” said Williams who had already been traded from the Jazz when Utah made its lone trip to New York.

And Williams has one more overriding factor to play: “I hate sitting out.”

NOTES – Nets injury list continues to grow. Quinton Ross is lost for the season with a herniated disk. He played Friday for the first time since Feb. 25 and re-injured his back.